proglucagón

Proglucagon is a large precursor protein that is processed into several biologically active peptides, most notably glucagon. It is synthesized in both the pancreas and the brain. In the pancreatic alpha cells, proglucagon is cleaved into glucagon, which is released into the bloodstream to regulate glucose homeostasis. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. In the gut, proglucagon is processed into glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1 and GLP-2), which play roles in insulin secretion, appetite regulation, and intestinal growth. GLP-1 is particularly important as an incretin hormone, enhancing insulin release in response to nutrient intake. The exact processing of proglucagon can vary depending on the cell type and the specific enzymes present. Mutations in the GCG gene, which encodes proglucagon, have been linked to rare forms of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Research into the different functions and regulatory mechanisms of proglucagon and its derivatives continues to be an active area in metabolic research.